Outcomes in the Treatment of Subretinal Macular Hemorrhage Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review.

Background: Subretinal macular hemorrhage (SRMH) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a relatively rare condition in ophthalmology characterized by blood collection between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Without prompt treatment, visual prognosis is poor. A plethora of treatment approaches have been tried over the past years ranging from intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy to direct subretinal surgery, with no conclusive superiority of one over the other. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the outcomes and treatment modalities of SRMH from inception to 14 June 2022, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The level of evidence was assessed for all included articles according to the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results: A total of 2745 articles were initially extracted, out of which 1654 articles were obtained after duplicates were removed and their abstracts screened. A total of 155 articles were included for full-text review. Finally, 81 articles remained that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Even though there are solid results supporting a variety of treatments for SRMH, the best treatment modality has still not been conclusively demonstrated and further research is needed.

Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants in Vitreoretinal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Antiplatelets and anticoagulants have substantially influenced contemporary vitreoretinal surgical practices. The availability of new oral blood thinners has recently spurred a renewed interest in the clinical approach to vitreoretinal surgical conditions since it may be difficult for the surgeon to collect sufficient evidence-based data to decide whether to discontinue or continue such medications. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review on the use of antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants in the perioperative setting in vitreoretinal surgery and their possible complications, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The level of evidence, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEM) 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence, according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system, were assessed for all included articles. Results: In total, 2310 articles were initially extracted, out of which 1839 articles were obtained after duplicates were removed and their abstracts were screened. A total of 27 articles were included in the full-text review. Finally, a remaining 22 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Even though there is just a small number of studies with solid results, the advantage of using antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants in vitreoretinal surgery seems to outweigh the disadvantages, which are mainly related to postoperative hemorrhagic complications.

Variability of Visual Recovery with Time in Epiretinal Membrane Surgery: A Predictive Analysis Based on Retinal Layer OCT Thickness Changes.

PURPOSE: To correlate postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) thickness changes of each retinal layer with different patterns of visual recovery after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery in a cohort of patients showing no known risk factors for poor visual recovery at preoperative imaging. METHODS: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT images were acquired preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into four groups according to postoperative BCVA improvement: improvement < 15 ETDRS letters (GROUP 1), immediate improvement of BCVA without further improvements at later follow-ups (GROUP 2), immediate improvement of BCVA with further improvements at later follow-ups (GROUP 3) and delayed improvement of BCVA (GROUP 4). RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included. GROUP1 was the only one characterized by retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness increase and ganglion cell layer/central macular thickness (GCL/CMT) ratio decrease at 1 month and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness decrease at 3 and 6 months. GROUP 2 was the only one showing a decrease in GCL/inner plexiform layer (GCL/IPL) ratio at 1 month. GROUP 3 and 4 showed higher preoperative RNFL thickness compared to the other, and GROUP 4 manifested a late increase in RNFL thickness at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of VA recovery are associated with specific layer thickness changes. If further confirmed, this would help detect those cases characterized by poor or delayed visual recovery despite the absence of other known imaging risk factors.

Camellens FIL622-1 IOL Implantation in the Ciliary Sulcus: Refractive Outcomes and Optimization of A-constant.

PURPOSE: To assess the refractive outcomes of patients who had sulcus implantation of the Camellens FIL622-1 intraocular lens (IOL) (Soleko) after posterior capsular rupture, and to optimize the A-constant suggested by the manufacturer. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent secondary Camellens FIL622-1 IOL implantation in the ciliary sulcus after complicated cataract surgery with posterior capsular rupture. IOL power was calculated by the SRK/T formula, using the recommended A-constant (118.8) for ciliary sulcus implantation. A new optimized A-constant was obtained and used to evaluate the refractive outcomes. The main outcome measures were mean prediction error (PE), median absolute error (MedAE), mean absolute error (MAE), and percentage of eyes with a PE within ±0.50, ±1.00, and ±2.00 diopters (D). RESULTS: Forty patients (40 eyes) were included in the study. The new optimized A-constant was 117.5, and the mean PE, MedAE, and MAE was -0.02 ± 0.73, 0.34, and 0.54, respectively. The percentage of eyes with a PE within ±0.50, ±1.00, and ±2.00 D was 65%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Camellens FIL622-1 IOL represents a valid option as sulcus implantation after posterior capsular rupture and it would guarantee the surgeon an on-label option with a more accurate biometric calculation, at the time of surgical implantation, with the new optimized A-constant. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(12):806-811.].

Conjunctivitis as a sign of persistent SARS-COV-2 infection? An observational study and report of late symptoms.

PURPOSE: To investigate if symptomatic conjunctivitis during the recovery phase of the disease could be associated to a persistent presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract. Secondary end points were to analyze the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the conjunctiva of ocular symptomatic patients and to record the presence of ocular disturbances at this point of the disease. METHODS: An observational study including consecutive COVID19 patients treated at Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital who were attending for nasopharyngeal swab to confirm the resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection and end of isolation. We examined 129 consecutive patients from May to June 2020. The primary end point was to determine if symptomatic conjunctivitis at this point of the disease could be associated to a persistent presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract. Secondary end points were to analyze the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the conjunctiva of ocular symptomatic patients and to record the presence of ocular disturbances at this point of the disease. RESULTS: One hundred twenty eight patients were included, 9.38% had conjunctivitis, none resulted positive to conjunctival PCR swab test, while two of them had positive nasopharyngeal result. Mean time elapsed since the first COVID-19 positive swab to the time of examination was 6 weeks ( ± 3). The only significant association was the presence of conjunctivitis with older age (65.3 ± 12.7 vs 56.7 + 13.5. p = 0.046). Nasopharyngeal swab resulted positive in 22 patients (17.19%). While 88 patients (68.2%) did not have any ocular complain during their COVID19 disease. The 40 patients (31.8%) reporting ocular disturbances complained about: redness (25.43%), tearing (19.53%), burning (18.35%), foreign body sensation (17.18%), itching (15.62%), and discharge (12.5%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that late conjunctivitis cannot be considered as a marker of persistent infection when patients are sent to confirm the resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Management of an ophthalmology department during COVID-19 pandemic in Milan, Italy.

PURPOSE: Spreading from China, COVID-19 pandemic reached Italy, the first massively involved western nation. At the beginning of March, 2020 in Northern Italy a complete lockdown of activities was imposed. Access to all healthcare providers, was halted for patients with elective problems. We present the management experience of the Humanitas Clinical and Research Center Ophthalmology Department in Rozzano, Milan, Italy, during the lockdown. METHODS: Containment measures were taken to reduce viral transmission and identify infected patients. All planned visits were canceled but for those not deferrable. Social distancing was introduced reducing number of visits per hour. Minor surgery for progressive pathologies was continued. As the lockdown prolonged, we reorganized patient care. All canceled cases were evaluated by electronic medical records analysis and telephonic triage, to identify, recall, and visit patients at risk of vision loss. RESULTS: From March 9, to April 30, 2020 we performed a total of 930 visits and 612 exams. Some visits (n = 698) and exams (n = 160) were deemed as necessary for continuity of care and performed as planned. Among the remaining 1283 canceled appointments, after evaluation 144 visits and 32 instrumental exams were classified as urgent and rapidly rescheduled. Performed surgical activities were limited to corneal collagen cross linking (n = 39) and intravitreal injections (n = 91), compared to 34 and 94, respectively, in the same period of 2019. CONCLUSION: In-office activities deemed not deferrable were performed safely. The recall service was highly appreciated by all patients. No patient or staff member reported symptoms of COVID-19.

OCT changes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane after cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience in the management of cataract and idiopatic epiretinal membrane surgeries at the Humanitas Research Institute-Milan, Italy- over the past 3 years. METHODS: We conducted a single center retrospective observational case series of patients that underwent sequential cataract and idiopatic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgeries from 2012-2015 in Humanitas Research Institute. Full data was obtained for 53 eyes of 57 patients. Patients with ERM secondary to uveitis or trauma or associated with simultaneous retinal detachment were excluded. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and myopia of more than 6 diopters were exclusion criteria as well. RESULTS: Cataract surgery was not associated with an ERM stage progression at one month follow up, but caused retinal inflammation that resulted in a significant increase in central macular thickness (CMT), macular volume (MV), central macular edema (CME), IS/OS disruption (IS/OS) and neurosensory detachment (NSD). However, there was no significant change in Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). CONCLUSION: We suggest that patients undergoing cataract surgery in the presence of epiretinal membranes need tight follow up to treat and control eventual macular inflammatory changes and eventual prompt vitrectomy if BCVA is threatened.

Complications of Macular Peeling.

Macular peeling refers to the surgical technique for the removal of preretinal tissue or the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in the macula for several retinal disorders, ranging from epiretinal membranes (primary or secondary to diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment…) to full-thickness macular holes, macular edema, foveal retinoschisis, and others. The technique has evolved in the last two decades, and the different instrumentations and adjuncts have progressively advanced turning into a safer, easier, and more useful tool for the vitreoretinal surgeon. Here, we describe the main milestones of macular peeling, drawing attention to its associated complications.

External subretinal drainage, bevacizumab, and scleral buckling for complete exudative retinal detachment after photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND: Total serous retinal detachment after laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity is an infrequent type of retinal detachment in preterm babies. PURPOSE: To describe the successful outcome for treatment by scleral drainage, bevacizumab, and scleral buckling for complete serous exudative retinal detachment in a patient with retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: A preterm baby with primary pulmonary hypertension under treatment with sildenafil developed a total (retrolental) serous retinal detachment after photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy. The dense subretinal fluid was externally drained using a bent needle with an infusion placed in the anterior chamber. Additional bevacizumab and scleral buckling helped to control the plus disease and subretinal leakage. RESULTS: Retinal apposition was obtained with the described approach. CONCLUSION: Total serous retinal detachment is a rare but severe visual complication in retinopathy of prematurity. The described technique may restore the retinae immediately in a visually critical period.

Macular hypotrophy after internal limiting membrane removal for diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To compare the anatomic and functional effects of three different approaches to nontractional diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Retrospective comparative study. Sixty eyes of 60 patients diagnosed with cystoid diabetic macular edema and treated with 1.25 mg/mL intravitreal bevacizumab (Group A), laser photocoagulation (Group B), or vitrectomy with inner limiting membrane peeling (Group C) were included in the study. Changes in number of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, central macular thickness, largest diameter of the intraretinal cysts (IC), and choroidal thickness were investigated. Analyses were performed during follow-up visits at Months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12. RESULTS: Visual acuity only significantly improved in Group A at the last follow-up (P = 0.004). Central macular thickness significantly decreased in every group throughout the follow-up period. Differences in central macular thickness between Groups A and B (P < 0.01), A and C (P < 0.01), and B and C (P < 0.01) were significant. Intraretinal cysts also significantly decreased in each group throughout the follow-up period. Differences in IC size between Groups A and B (P = 0.8), A and C (P = 0.1), and B and C (P = 0.1) were not significant. Choroidal thickness did not undergo any significant change in any group throughout the follow-up period. A significant correlation was also found in Group A between best-corrected visual acuity at month 12 and baseline central macular thickness (R = 0.3; P = 0.006), and in Group B between postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at month 12 and baseline IC size (R = 0.8; P < 0.01, negatively correlated at 92.4%). CONCLUSION: According to our retrospective data, diabetic macular edema with intraretinal cysts larger than 390 µm should not be treated with vitrectomy with ILM peeling, because this may induce subfoveal atrophy, defined as the "Floor Effect," and subsequent visual deterioration.

Thermodynamics of vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To report in vivo the temperature variations occurring continuously inside the human eye during vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: Intraocular temperature was monitored during the entire surgical time in 14 eyes of 14 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy. A custom made 23-gauge thermoprobe was inserted through a sclerotomy at 3.5 mm from the limbus. Temperature in the anterior chamber and on the retinal surface was measured at one time point, whilst the temperature in the vitreous cavity was monitored throughout the entire surgery. Time points of particular interest in the vitreous cavity were: at baseline (inflow off - outflow off), at the beginning of the vitrectomy (inflow off - outflow on), at the end of vitrectomy (inflow on-outflow on), during the epiretinal procedures (inflow on-outflow off), under air infusion, under oil and under endolaser treatment ongoing. RESULTS: The mean temperature in the anterior chamber and on the nasal retinal side was 23.6 °C (SD 1.8)and 32.3 °C (SD 1.1), respectively. The mean vitreous temperature at baseline, before opening the infusion, was 33.6 °C (SD 1.4). The mean temperature at the beginning and the end of the vitrectomy was 26.8 °C (SD 1.0) and 24.8 °C (SD 0.8), respectively. During the epiretinal procedures, the mean temperature was 27.4 °C (SD 0.7). Under air infusion, the mean temperature increased to 29.2 °C (SD 1.2). The fluctuations in temperature were statistically different between the time points during the vitrectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitreoretinal surgery induces measurable changes in temperature in the human eye, with significant fluctuations. In particular, the temperature in the vitreous cavity decreases when both the inflow and the outflow fluid lines are open, whilst it increases under air infusion.

Vitreous diagnosis in neoplastic diseases.

Vitreous body is an intraocular structure, origin of diverse pathologies, but is also the place where cells and inflammatory mediators are released coming from several pathologic processes. These inflammatory reactions can happen in any other ocular location like choroid, retina, optic nerve, or ciliary body and vitreous humor constitutes a stagnant reservoir for these resulting substances and debris. Through the recent techniques of vitreous collecting, handling, and analysis, increasingly more sophisticated and with fewer complications, cellularity and molecules in the vitreous of challenging pathologies for the ophthalmologist can now be studied. The most usefulness for vitreous diagnosis would be the masquerade syndromes, and the best exponent in this group is the primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), in which cytology and an IL-10/IL-6 ratio more than 1 is fundamental for the diagnosis.

Interaction between perfluorcarbon liquid and heavy silicone oil: risk factor for "sticky oil" formation.

PURPOSE: To investigate in vitro the interaction between perfluorcarbon liquids (PFCLs) and heavy silicone oils (HSOs). METHODS: Interactions between different kinds of PFCL [perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) or perfluorodecaline (PFD)] and HSO (either alkane or ether) were studied in vitro by incubating fluids for 7 days at regulated temperatures. The samples were divided into two groups: Group A, PFCL (PFO or PFD) + 5 ml of HSO (silicone oil + alkane or ether) and Group B, HSO (silicone oil + alkane or ether) without PFCL. Each sample was kept at 36°C for 7 days. HSOs were then removed with a 20 g, 7 mm-long cannula under 600 mm Hg of vacuum pressure at two different temperatures: 36 and 22°C. The time needed to remove the oils and the presence of opacity was recorded. Each experiment was repeated three times. RESULTS: In vitro, interactions between PFCL and HSO oil led to the formation of hyper-viscous solutions with significative increase in aspiration time in Group A. (P = 0.006, Kruskal-Wallis test) Temperature was also found to affect HSOs' saturation, as a decrease in temperature determined an increase in opacity and shear viscosity of the solution (P = 0.02, Kruskal-Wallis test). No differences between alkane and ether (P = 0.74) and n-octane and decaline (P = 0.56) was found. CONCLUSION: Interactions between PFCL-HSO and variation in temperature lead to the formation of hyper-viscous solutions that could be described as "sticky oil".

Pneumatic tools for vitreoretinal surgery.

One of the difficulties of microsurgery is learning how to control physiological tremors. The pneumatic tool eliminates the physiological tremor, but no tactile feedback is provided. The manual tremor when closing the forceps is completely eliminated and the exact target can be more easily grabbed. Forceps closure pressure can rise up to 50 psi, whereas the scissors can be used in two modes: multicut and proportional. When performing bimanual surgery the pedal range is divided into two steps: in the first step, the forceps are controlled, and in the second step, the forceps remain closed. At the same time the scissors start to work in the preselected mode. No adverse events occurred and no iatrogenic retinal breaks were produced. Precision and control sensation were a grateful surprise.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the orbit.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours (pPNETs) are a group of soft-tissue tumours of neuroepithelial origin that arise outside the central and sympathetic nervous system. Orbital location is infrequent, and to the best of the authors' knowledge only 16 cases have been reported in the literature. With this article, the authors report the demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnostic features, differential diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic options of primary orbital peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour, based on their patients and on the cases reported in the literature to date. A differential diagnosis should be made with other small round cell tumours; immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques are essential for this purpose. Although bone invasion and extraorbital extension are possible, systemic metastases are uncommon in the cases of orbital pPNETs. Surgery has been the initial treatment in most cases; chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy is considered the best additional treatment. The orbital pPNET could be less aggressive than other forms of pPNETs, since most of the patients reported were alive after the follow-up period (at least 6 months).